National Cohesion in Insecure States: Experiences from Africa

Michel Noureddine Kassa, Country Team Leader for the Initiative for a Cohesive Leadership in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Distinguished Visiting Practitioner Residency

October 15-19, 2012

Mistrust, rivalries, and manipulation of the legacies of the past are among the hurdles societies face after conflict on the way to national cohesion and peace. How can we pursue sustainable and ecologically responsible development in a globalized and exposed puzzle of nations, networks and interests?

Michel Noureddine Kassa will be in residence at Brandeis from October 15 – 19 as the sixth Distinguished Visiting Practitioner of the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life, hosted by Alain Lempereur, Director of the Master’s Program in Coexistence and Conflict, Heller School).

A political and economic thriller about globalization in one of the world's richest regions in mining resources -- but precious little of the profit trickles down to the ordinary folk who live and work there. Pizza will be served. See "related readings" below to download articles about Africa's extractive industry.

New Models and Old Constraints for Responsible Partnerships
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Abraham Shapiro Academic Complex (ASAC) 204, across from the Heller School

Career Path of a Peacebuilder
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Abraham Shapiro Academic Complex (ASAC) Atrium, across from the Heller SchoolHeading for a career in coexistence or peacebuilding? Are you an activist committed to making a difference? Kassa shares stories about the choices he made, the people who influenced him, and his day-to-day life as a peacebuilder. Dessert and drinks provided. Cosponsored by the the Hiatt Career Center and the Heller Career Development Center.

Mistrust, rivalries, and manipulation of past legacies...How can we pursue sustainable and ecologically responsible development in a globalized and exposed puzzle of nations, networks, and interests? Updates and RSVP (optional) on Facebook.

Friday, October 19Conflict Analysis and Intervention
11:00 am - 12:20 pm
Olin-Sang 116Negotiation and mediation have the power to avoid court interventions and decisions; they might also avoid the resort to force and violence in the international arena or in regional conflicts. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, there are many examples of what negotiation and mediation accomplished: opening the Congo River back to navigation, letting national exams cross enemy lines, reducing the risks of revenge after elections, and permitting changes in top positions.

The French Influence in Africa: Keeping the Good, Amending the Bad
12:30 - 1:50 pm
Shiffman 202How can Africa preserve the best of the French spirit, while cleaning up the refuse of paternalism and dubious postcolonial brotherhoods? Discussion will be in French.

The Distinguished Visiting Practitioner program brings respected practitioners in any field to campus for several days to examine the ethical challenges and dilemmas of that field.

Distinguished Visiting Practitionersare in residence at Brandeis from three to five days, to offer public events, visit classes, and engage students interested in pursuing a career in their field. Faculty members from any department on campus are invited to propose future Distinguished Visiting Practitioners.

International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life | ASAC | 415 South Street, Waltham, MA 02453 | (781) 736-8577